Dock brackets, dock platforms, docks, and kits

ABSTRACT

A dock bracket may include an elongate rail engaged by a first clamp, and a first platform support member structured and arranged to support a dock or a dock portion (e.g., a dock platform). A dock platform may include a first edge portion, a second edge portion, a tread member extending from the first edge portion and the second edge portion, and at least one fixation arm extending from at least the first edge portion. A dock accessory kit may include an elongate rail; a first clamp including a first clamp body, a first jaw member, a first clamp adjustment member, and an optional first rail securement member; and a first platform support member. A dock may include first and second dock assemblies, each including a dock section and a stringer pipe, and a dock platform attached to the first and second dock assemblies via first and second dock brackets.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

None.

BACKGROUND

This disclosure relates generally to brackets (e.g., dock brackets),platforms (e.g., dock platforms), docks, and dock accessory kits.

Docks (e.g., boat docks) are generally known in the art to be manmadestructures involved in the handling of boats, usually on or near ashore, or as, for example, a fishing pier. Docks may extend out from ashore into a body of water and may provide a location for mooring boatsand a platform above the water level for boarding or exiting a boat.

Boat docks are often provided with boat slips for mooring boats. A boatslip may be defined by a boat dock having at least two dock sectionsthat intersect to define a corner of the slip. Boat slips can also bedefined by three dock sections such that the dock borders the slip onthree sides, and the slip defines two corners. Accidents may occur onboat docks when people or animals move from one boat dock section toanother boat dock section around a corner. For example, a misstep near acorner of a dock may result in a person or an animal falling off thedock. Also, docks may not be conducive for use by persons in or on avehicle (e.g., a wheelchair, a wheeled vehicle, etc.) and/or personsoperating a wheeled vehicle (e.g., a cart, a hand truck, a wheelbarrow,a wheeled suitcase, etc.), for example, due to narrow dock sections andintersections near dock corners. Further, turning around a wheeledvehicle is generally difficult on a dock, even at an intersection ofdock sections.

Providing for safe movement by people, animals, and/or vehicles on adock may be useful to avoid falling from a platform, which may result ininjury and, in some cases, drowning.

There remains a need for novel dock accessories (e.g., dock brackets,dock platforms, etc.) that provide benefits over the prior art. Forexample, there is a need for a device or apparatus which facilitates awider range of movement on a dock, particularly proximate intersectionsof dock sections, by people, animals, and/or vehicles (e.g.,wheelchairs, etc.). There is also a need for such a device that can beinstalled on an existing dock.

Some dock accessories are known in the art. For example, U.S. Pat. No.7,182,035 (Palmer) disclosed a boat slip step assembly for being mountedproximate the corner of a boat slip, which provides a step to a platformbelow the level of the dock for more easily boarding and exiting a boat.In another example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,281,055 (Nietzke et al.) disclosesfloating dock sections that may be coupled using male-type anchors whichfit into female-type receiving sockets on the docking sections.

All U.S. patents and applications and all other published documents(including foreign patents and applications) mentioned anywhere in thisapplication are incorporated herein by reference, each incorporatedherein in its entirety.

Without limiting the scope of the claimed subject matter a brief summaryof some of the claimed embodiments is set forth below. Additionaldetails of the summarized embodiments and/or additional embodiments maybe found in the Detailed Description below.

A brief abstract of the technical disclosure in the specification isprovided as well only for the purposes of complying with 37 C.F.R. 1.72.The abstract is not intended to be used for interpreting the scope ofthe claims.

BRIEF SUMMARY

In one or more aspects of the present disclosure, a dock bracket mayinclude an elongate rail, a first clamp, and a first platform supportmember. The elongate rail may extend between a proximal rail end and adistal rail end. The elongate rail may define a longitudinal axis thatpasses through the proximal rail end and the distal rail end.

A first clamp may include a first clamp body engaging the elongate rail.A first clamp body may further include a first jaw member. A first clampmay be constructed and arranged to engage, between the first jaw memberand the elongate rail, a proximal dock stringer pipe (e.g., proximalstringer pipe) at a non-zero angle relative to the longitudinal axis ofthe elongate rail. A first clamp may also include a first clampadjustment member and an optional first rail securement memberconstructed and arranged to restrict longitudinal movement of the firstjaw member along the elongate rail.

A first platform support member may engage the elongate rail and may bedisposed proximal of the first clamp. The first platform support membermay be structured and arranged to support a dock or dock portion (e.g.,a dock platform).

In one or more aspects of the present disclosure, a dock platform mayinclude a first edge portion, a second edge portion, a tread memberextending from the first edge portion and the second edge portion, atleast one fixation arm extending from at least the first edge portion.

In one or more aspects of the present disclosure, a dock accessory kitmay include an elongate rail, a first clamp, and a first platformsupport member. An elongate rail may extend between a proximal rail endand a distal rail end and may define a longitudinal axis that passesthrough the proximal rail end and the distal rail end.

A first clamp may include a first clamp body and a first jaw member. Afirst clamp may be constructed and arranged to engage, between the firstjaw member and the elongate rail, a proximal dock stringer pipe at anon-zero angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the elongate rail. Afirst clamp may be constructed and arranged to engage the elongate rail.A first clamp may also include a first clamp adjustment member and anoptional first rail securement member constructed and arranged torestrict longitudinal movement of the first jaw member along theelongate rail.

A first platform support member may be constructed and arranged toengage the elongate rail and may be disposed proximate the first clamp(e.g., between the proximal rail end and the first clamp).

In one or more aspects of the present disclosure, a dock may include afirst dock assembly including a first dock section and a first proximalstringer pipe, a second dock assembly including a second dock sectionand a second proximal stringer pipe, and a dock platform attached to thefirst dock assembly via a first dock bracket and to the second dockassembly via a second dock bracket. Each of the first and second dockbrackets may include an elongate rail extending between a proximal railend and a distal rail end, the elongate rail defining a longitudinalaxis; a first clamp including a first clamp body disposed about theelongate rail near the proximal rail end, the first clamp furtherincluding a first jaw member disposed apart from the elongate rail anddefining an opening sized to receive a stringer pipe therein, whereinthe first clamp is constructed and arranged to clamp a stringer pipebetween the first jaw member and the elongate rail at a non-zero anglerelative to the longitudinal axis of the elongate rail. The first clampmay also include a first clamp adjustment member and an optional firstrail securement member constructed and arranged to restrict longitudinalmovement of the first jaw member along the elongate rail. Each of thefirst and second dock brackets may further include a first platformsupport member engaging the elongate rail and disposed between theproximal rail end and the first clamp. In one or more embodiments of thedock, the first proximal stringer pipe may be disposed in the opening ofone of the first clamps and the second proximal stringer pipe may bedisposed in the opening of the other of the first clamps.

These and other embodiments which characterize the invention are pointedout with particularity in the claims annexed hereto and forming a parthereof. However, for a better understanding of the present disclosureand the advantages and objectives obtained by use of the one or moreembodiments herein, reference can be made to the drawings which form afurther part hereof and the accompanying descriptive matter, in whichthere are illustrated and described various embodiments of theinvention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A detailed description is hereafter provided with specific referencebeing made to the drawings.

FIG. 1 depicts four exemplary dock platforms according to the presentdisclosure mounted to a dock.

FIG. 2 depicts an exemplary dock platform according to the presentdisclosure mounted to a dock.

FIG. 3 depicts a top view of an exemplary dock platform according to thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 4 depicts a bottom view of an exemplary dock platform according tothe present disclosure.

FIG. 5 depicts an exemplary dock bracket according to the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 6 depicts a portion of an exemplary dock bracket according to thepresent disclosure supporting a portion of an exemplary dock platformaccording to the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 depicts a portion of an exemplary dock bracket according to thepresent disclosure supporting a portion of an exemplary dock platformaccording to the present disclosure.

FIG. 8 depicts a portion of an exemplary dock bracket according to thepresent disclosure supporting a portion of an exemplary dock platformaccording to the present disclosure.

FIG. 9 depicts portions of six exemplary dock brackets according to thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 10 is a schematic layout of an exemplary dock according to thepresent disclosure having an exemplary dock platform according to thepresent disclosure mounted thereto utilizing three exemplary dockbrackets according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 11 is a schematic layout of an exemplary dock according to thepresent disclosure having two exemplary dock platforms according to thepresent disclosure mounted thereto utilizing four exemplary dockbrackets according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 12 is a schematic layout of an exemplary dock according to thepresent disclosure having three exemplary dock platforms according tothe present disclosure mounted thereto utilizing five exemplary dockbrackets according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 13 is a schematic layout of an exemplary dock according to thepresent disclosure having four exemplary dock platforms according to thepresent disclosure mounted thereto utilizing six exemplary dock bracketsaccording to the present disclosure.

FIG. 14 is a block diagram of a kit according to the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

This disclosure relates generally to brackets (e.g., dock brackets) thatmay be used in association with a dock and/or another type of supportstructure (e.g., a stage, a platform, a scaffold, etc.). In one or moreembodiments, a dock bracket may be arranged to support a dock accessory,such as a swim ladder, steps, deck boxes, etc. This disclosure alsorelates generally to dock platforms having a tread and, for example, afixation arm that may engage one or more dock stringer pipes. Further,this disclosure relates generally to kits including one or more bracketcomponents and/or one or more dock platform portions.

While the subject matter of the present disclosure may be embodied inmany different forms, there are described in detail herein one or morespecific embodiments. This description is an exemplification of theprinciples of the present disclosure and is not intended to limit thepresent disclosure to the particular embodiments illustrated.

For the purposes of this disclosure, like reference numerals in thefigures shall refer to like features unless otherwise indicated. Forexample, as discussed below, reference numeral 200 of FIG. 1 andreference numeral 200 of FIG. 2 refer to like features (e.g., a dockplatform). For purposes of this disclosure, a reference numeralincluding a letter and the same reference numeral without a letter shallbe considered like reference numerals. For example, reference numeral200 of FIGS. 1-4 and 6-8 and reference numerals 200 a and 200 b of FIG.10 are like reference numerals, each of which refers to a dock platform.

In one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, a dock platform200 may be mounted on a dock 300. For example, with reference to FIG. 1,four dock platforms 200 may be mounted in four different inside cornersof a dock 300. FIG. 2 shows a closer view of one dock platform 200mounted on two sides of a dock 300.

FIGS. 3 and 4 show the top and bottom views of an exemplary dockplatform 200 of the present disclosure. A dock platform 200 may besupported, when mounted on a dock 300, by one or more dock brackets 100.An exemplary dock bracket 100 is shown in FIG. 5, extending between twodock stringer pipes 312, 314, which are typical dock supporting members.Each of FIGS. 6-8 depicts a dock bracket 100 engaging at least onestringer pipe 312 and supporting a dock platform 200.

FIG. 9 depicts one or more embodiments of the present disclosure inwhich the dock sides to which a dock platform 200 is mounted are notsides forming an inside corner, but rather, are dock sides facing eachother. In the one or more embodiments depicted in FIG. 9, a dockplatform may take the form of a dock section and may be supported by atleast four dock brackets (e.g., six shown in FIG. 9).

Dock platforms 200 and dock brackets 100 of the present disclosure mayprovide a dock with additional surface area, which may allow additionalmaneuverability (e.g., of persons, animals, vehicles, cargo, etc.) on adock and may improve safety (e.g., reducing falling from docks). Dockplatforms 200 and dock brackets 100 of the present disclosure may alsobe installed by a single installer.

It may be helpful to review typical dock structure before describing howthe dock brackets and dock platforms of the present disclosure mayinteract with such structure. It should be noted that the dock bracketsand dock platforms of the present disclosure may be suitable for a widevariety of docks. In the present disclosure, a limited number of dockdesigns are described, but one of skill in the art would recognizewhether and how to modify the dock brackets and dock platforms of thepresent disclosure to accommodate any dock design. In one or moreembodiments, the dock brackets and dock platforms may be particularlysuitable for so-called Minnetonka docks, which may be commonly used in,for example, Lake Minnetonka, located in Minnesota. One of skill in theart will recognize that the dock brackets and dock platforms of thepresent disclosure may be useful in a wide variety of dock designsanywhere that docks are used.

A dock generally includes one or more dock sections that are supportedby a plurality of supports (e.g., brackets, stringer assemblies,stringer pipes, down pipes, etc.). A dock may begin, typically at ashore, with a starter bracket, attached to which may be stringer pipes(hereinafter, “stringer pipes” or “dock stringer pipes”) that extend inparallel on each side of the dock. In the present disclosure, stringerpipes may be any appropriate length and diameter and may or may not behollow (e.g., maybe a hollow tube, solid beam, etc.). A stringer pipemay be, for example, about 16 feet long. A stringer assembly mayinclude, for example, two stringer pipes and two brackets (e.g., onebracket at each end of the stringer pipes). A continuous joiner bracketmay be used to connect the end of one stringer assembly (e.g., the endsof one pair of stringer pipes) with another stringer assembly (e.g., theend of another pair of stringer pipes). At the end of the dock, astringer assembly may include an end bracket used to engage the ends ofthe pair of stringer pipes extending thereto. Any suitable number ofstringer assemblies (e.g., pairs of stringer pipes with brackets at eachend) may be used. For example, a dock may include a straight shotextending from the shore including four stringer assemblies, a crossoverincluding one stringer assembly extending perpendicularly from thestraight shot, and a slip including two stringer assemblies extendingperpendicularly from the crossover, thereby forming a U-shaped dock. Atvarious points along the dock and/or at the end of the dock, down pipesmay be installed, which engage the ground below the water and supportthe dock stringer pipes and/or brackets.

Not all docks are straight. Some dock sections may extend in, forexample, a perpendicular direction from another dock section, formingone or more inside corners. A dock section extending from a straightshot may be referred to as a “crossover.” A crossover is generallysupported at the dock with one or more (e.g., two) take-off bracketsfrom which a stringer assembly (e.g., two stringer pipes) may extend tomake the crossover and to support a dock section oriented in thedirection of the crossover. Additional sections may be added that areperpendicular to the crossover (e.g., a slip). For example, the dock 300depicted in FIG. 1 includes a straight shot near the top of the image, acrossover (one or more dock sections extending perpendicular to thestraight shot), and a slip (one or more dock sections extendingperpendicular to the crossover). FIG. 2 also depicts an intersection ofdock sections.

With reference to FIG. 5, in one or more aspects of the presentdisclosure, a dock bracket 100 may include an elongate rail 102, a firstclamp 108, and a first platform support member 118.

In one or more embodiments, the elongate rail 102 may extend between aproximal rail end 104 and a distal rail end 106 and may define alongitudinal axis (not shown) that extends through the proximal rail end104 and the distal rail end 106. The elongate rail may take any of awide variety of forms known to one of skill in the art including, butnot limited to, cylindrical tubes, square or rectangular tubes, L-shapedbeams, I-shaped beams, U-shaped beams, flat bars, solid beams, etc. Inone or more embodiments, the elongate rail may take the form of anelongate tube having a rail outer diameter. In one or more embodiments,an elongate rail may include a rail lumen extending from the proximalrail end 104 to the distal rail end 106. The elongate rail may be formedfrom any of a wide variety of materials of construction known to one ofskill in the art including, but not limited to, metals, alloys,ceramics, polymers, composites, and combinations of one or more of these(e.g., two metals, a metal and a ceramic, a metal and a polymer, twopolymers, etc.). In one or more embodiments, the length of a rail may beat least the distance between the stringer pipes of a dock (e.g., atleast two feet, at least three feet, at least four feet, at least fivefeet, etc.). For example, the center-to-center distance between stringerpipes for some docks may be in a range from 12 inches to 60 inches, in arange from 24 inches to 48 inches, in a range from 30 inches to 42inches, or in a range from 36 inches to 40 inches.

When a dock bracket of the present disclosure is installed on a dock(e.g., is engaging a dock stringer pipe), the rail may extend beyond theside of a dock a sufficient distance to support a dock platform. Thisextension may be an extension of at least one inch (e.g., at least twoinches, at least four inches, at least six inches, at least nine inches,etc.). In one or more embodiments, the rail might not extend beyond theside of the dock and may include one or more extension fixtures thatextend beyond the side of the dock a sufficient distance to support adock platform. For example, an extension fixture may be installed on theelongate rail, wherein the extension fixture extends from below the dockto a location not below the dock.

In one or more embodiments, with reference to FIGS. 5-8, the first clamp108 may include a first clamp body 110 that may engage the elongate railand may include a first jaw member 112. The first clamp 108 may beconstructed and arranged to engage (e.g., clamp, grasp, lean on, etc.) afirst proximal dock stringer pipe 312 between the first jaw member 112and the elongate rail 102. For example, in FIG. 5, the first proximaldock stringer pipe 312 is engaged by and between the first jaw member112 of the first clamp 108 and the elongate rail 102. In one or moreembodiments, first jaw member 112 may be a movable or adjustable jawmember and the elongate rail may be a fixed jaw member.

In one or more embodiments, the first clamp may define an openingbetween the first jaw member and the elongate rail, wherein a distanceacross the opening is at least one-half inch. The distance across theopening may be at least one inch, at least two inches, at least threeinches, at least four inches, etc. In one or more embodiments, thedistance across the opening may be at most six inches (e.g., at mostfour inches, at most three inches, at most two inches, etc.). Forexample, in one or more embodiments wherein a stringer pipe has aparticular diameter (e.g., 1.5-inch schedule 40 pipe having an outsidediameter of about 1.9 inches), the opening between the first jaw memberand the elongate rail may be adjustable from a distance that is at least1/16 inch greater than the diameter of the stringer pipe to a distancethat is at least 1/16 inch less than the diameter of the stringer pipe.

The first jaw member 112 may take any of a wide variety of forms knownto one of skill in the art. The first jaw member 112 should beconstructed and arranged to be capable of applying pressure against astringer pipe (or other appropriate dock support structure). In one ormore embodiments, the first jaw member may or may not include an anglemember (e.g., an angle iron, an L-shaped member), a T-shaped member(e.g., a T-shaped bar), and/or another fabricated or prefabricated baror beam. In one or more embodiments, plates (e.g., metal plates) may bewelded together or otherwise fastened together to form the first jawmember.

In one or more embodiments, the first clamp 108 may include a firstclamp adjustment member 114 and an optional first rail securement member116 constructed and arranged to restrict longitudinal movement of thefirst jaw member 112 along the elongate rail 102. A first clampadjustment member 114 may take any of a wide variety of forms (e.g., athreaded fastener such as a screw, a bolt, etc.) provided that the firstclamp adjustment member is capable of being adjusted to increase ordecrease the clamping pressure of the first jaw member 112 and theelongate rail 102 against, for example, a dock stringer pipe 312.Optional first rail securement member 116 may also take a wide varietyof forms (e.g., a threaded fastener such as a screw, a bolt, etc.)provided that the first rail securement member 116 is capable ofsecuring the clamp along the elongate rail. For example, in FIG. 8, eachof the first clamp adjustment member 114 and the first rail securementmember 116 are threaded bolts engaging threaded apertures extendingthrough the first clamp body 110, such that the first rail securementmember 116 may be rotated and tightened (e.g., until it contacts theelongate rail with sufficient force such that the first clamp body 110is secured at a location along the elongate rail) and first clampadjustment member 114 may be rotated and tightened (e.g., to reduce thesize of the opening between the first jaw member 112 and the elongaterail 102 or to exert a clamping force on a stringer pipe 312 (or otherdock support) between the first jaw member 112 and the elongate rail102). In one or more embodiments, the first clamp adjustment member 114and the first rail securement member 116 are both bolts having headsthat are the same size and shape, such that a single adjustment tool(e.g., a wrench or ratchet wrench) may be used to tighten or untightenone or both.

As shown in FIG. 6, the first clamp body 110 may include an elongateclamp body tube that may have a clamp body tube inner diameter that isgreater than the elongate rail 102 outer diameter. The first clamp bodytube may be cylindrical in shape, conical in shape, or may take anyother suitable shape that allows a dock stringer pipe (or other docksupport) to be clamped between the first jaw member and the rail. One ofskill in the art will recognize that the distance between the elongaterail 102 and the first jaw member 112 may be adjustable enough toposition, for example, a dock stringer pipe therein, wherein the firstrail securement member 116 may be adjusted to secure the longitudinalposition of the first clamp body along the elongate rail 102 and thefirst clamp adjustment member 114 may be adjusted to cause the dockstringer pipe (or other dock support) to be compressed between the firstjaw member 112 and the rail 102. In one or more embodiments, the firstelongate clamp body tube may define a first clamp body longitudinal axis(not shown), which may or may not be parallel to the longitudinal axis(not shown) of the elongate rail 102 when the first clamp body tube istightened to the elongate rail 102 and the proximal dock stringer pipe312. That is, the shape and/or dimensions of the first clamp tube bodyand the type of first clamp adjustment member 114 and first railsecurement member 116 may dictate that, when tightened to the elongaterail 102, the longitudinal axes of the first clamp body tube andelongate rail 102 are not parallel.

The first clamp body 110 may be formed from any of a wide variety ofmaterials known to one of skill in the art including, for example,metals, alloys, ceramics, polymers, composites, and combinations of oneor more of these (e.g., two metals, a metal and a ceramic, a metal and apolymer, two polymers, etc.).

In one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, a dock bracket 100may include a first platform support member 118 that may engage theelongate rail 102 and may be disposed proximate the first clamp 108(e.g., between the proximal rail end 104 and the first clamp 108). Thefirst platform support member 118 may be structured and arranged tosupport a dock or dock portion (e.g., a dock platform), as in FIGS. 7and 8. As shown in FIG. 5, the elongate rail 102 may extend between twostringer pipes 312, 314 and one or both ends of the elongate rail 102may extend beyond a stringer pipe 312, 314, as a cantilever. The firstplatform support member 118 may be disposed on the cantilever portion ofthe elongate rail 102, in order to, for example, support a dock platformresting thereon. In one or more embodiments, a first platform supportmember 118 may include a tubular collar having a lumen through which theelongate rail may extend, and a collar fastener (e.g., a pin, a bolt, ascrew, etc.) that is constructed and arranged to fasten the collar tothe elongate rail. FIG. 5 depicts a first platform support member 118that includes a tubular collar and a threaded bolt. Any of a widevariety of collar fasteners may be selected that may serve to fasten thecollar to the elongate rail 102 (e.g., to avoid relative longitudinal orrotational motion of the collar with respect to the rail). In the one ormore embodiments of FIGS. 5-7, the head of the bolt may contact aportion of a dock platform, providing support thereto. One of skill inthe art will recognize that the head of the bolt may take a wide varietyof shapes and may be modified, for example, by attaching a largersurface (e.g., a plate, etc.) to distribute the forces applied to thedock platform across a wider area.

The dock bracket 100 shown in FIG. 5 also includes an optional secondclamp 120, which may be interchangeable with first clamp 108. In one ormore embodiments, optional second clamp 120 may be identical to firstclamp 108, as shown in FIG. 5. The description provided herein withrespect to first clamp 108 may also apply to second clamp 120. Forexample, optional second clamp 120 may include a second clamp body 122(which may be as described for first clamp body 110) that may engage theelongate rail 102 near the distal rail end 106 and may include a secondjaw member 124 (which may be as described for first jaw member 112).Second clamp 120 may include a second clamp adjustment member 126 (whichmay be as described for the first clamp adjustment member 114) and anoptional second rail securement member 128 (which may be as describedfor the first rail securement member 116).

In the present disclosure, optional second clamp 120 may differ from thefirst clamp 108. For example, optional second clamp 120 may be integralwith or otherwise permanently or removably attached to the elongate rail102. In one or more embodiments, the distance between the first clamp108 and optional second clamp 120 may be adjustable, wherein either thelongitudinal position along the elongate rail 102 may be adjustable forone or both of first clamp 108 and optional second clamp 120. Theability to adjust the distance between first clamp 108 and optionalsecond clamp 120 may, for example, allow the clamp to accommodate dockshaving different dimensions (e.g., distance between dock stringerpipes).

As shown in FIG. 5, the dock bracket 100 may include a second platformsupport member 130 (which may be as described for first platform supportmember 118). A second platform support member 130 may be useful, forexample, wherein the dock bracket 100 supports a dock platform 200 oneach of two sides of a dock. For example, in FIG. 1, each of the twodock platforms 200 that are disposed on opposite sides of a dock sectionmay be supported by one or more (e.g., two, three, etc.) dock brackets100 (not shown), each of which may include a first platform supportmember 118 and second platform support member 130.

In one or more aspects of the present disclosure, a dock platform mayinclude a first edge portion, a second edge portion, a tread memberextending from the first edge portion and the second edge portion, andat least one fixation arm extending from at least the first edgeportion. For example, with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, dock platform 200includes first edge portion 202, second edge portion 204, a tread member206, and a fixation arm 208 extending from at least the first edgeportion 202. In the one or more embodiments depicted in FIGS. 3 and 4, asingle fixation arm extends (e.g., outwardly) from each of the first andsecond edge portions.

In one or more embodiments, the tread member 206 has an upper surfacehaving a polygon shape (e.g., triangle, parallelogram (e.g., rectangle,square, etc.) trapezoid, irregular polygon, etc.). In one or moreembodiments, a tread member upper surface may have a perimeter includingcurved sides. As used herein, tread member refers collectively to theone or more structural members that make up the dock platform uppersurface. For example, the dock platform 200 of FIG. 3 includes fiveboards that collectively form the upper surface of tread member 206. Itshould be noted that in one or more embodiments of the presentdisclosure, one or more corners or edges of a dock platform 200 may betruncated or otherwise modified to, for example, accommodate thepresence of an obstruction (e.g., a downpipe, a fixture, etc.). Forexample, dock platform 200 in FIG. 2 has a relatively large truncationat each outer corner of dock platform 200 (e.g., where the outer edge ofdock platform 200 meets first dock side 304 and second dock side 306)and a relatively small truncation at the inside corner of dock platform200 (e.g., where first and second dock mounting portions 308, 310intersect). In one or more embodiments, a dock platform 200 may beconstructed and arranged to include one truncation (e.g., FIG. 1), morethan one truncation (e.g., FIG. 2), or no truncations (e.g., FIG. 10),without limitation. In one or more embodiments, a dock platform 200having been constructed with truncated corner may include an optionalinterchangeable piece to, for example, provide a tread for the truncatedportion.

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, in one or more embodiments, a dockplatform 200 may be constructed and arranged to be mounted on a dock 300that has a dock upper surface 302, a first dock side 304, and a seconddock side 306. For example, in FIG. 10, the first dock side 304 a mayinclude a first dock mounting portion 308 a, a first proximal dockstringer pipe 312 a (e.g., FIG. 10) and an optional first distal dockstringer pipe 314 a (e.g., FIG. 10) (e.g., distal stringer pipe). Thesecond dock side 306 a may include a second dock mounting portion 310 a,a second proximal dock stringer pipe 316 a (e.g., FIG. 10), and anoptional second distal dock stringer pipe 318 a. With reference to FIG.1, in one or more embodiments, a dock platform 200 may be installed on adock in which first and second dock mounting portions cooperativelydefine an inside corner of a dock. In one or more embodiments, as shownin FIGS. 1 and 2, the first edge portion 202 of the dock platform 200may be secured proximate (e.g., in direct contact, in indirect contact,etc.) the first dock mounting portion 308 and the second edge portion204 of the dock platform 200 may be secured proximate (e.g., in directcontact, indirect contact, etc.) the second dock mounting portion 310.

In one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, a dock platform200 may be fixedly, but removably, mounted to a dock, wherein the treadmember 206 is disposed such that its upper surface is level with thedock upper surface 302 of the dock 300. That is, the dock upper surface302 and an upper surface of tread member 206 may be coplanar. A dockplatform may extend the dock upper surface 302, for example, acrossinside corners of docks.

In one or more embodiments, a fixation arm 208 may be constructed andarranged to obstruct lateral movement of the dock platform 200 in adirection away from the first dock side 304 or the second dock side 306.For example, as shown in FIG. 8, a fixation arm 208 may include aprotrusion 210 that may be disposed on a side of a proximal dockstringer pipe (e.g., 312 a, 316 a of FIG. 10) (e.g., the side facing thecenter of the dock or the side opposing the side of the proximal dockstringer pipe in which the tread member 206 is disposed, the side facinga midpoint equidistant from the proximal rail end 104 and the distalrail end 106, etc.). In effect, a lateral force applied to the dockplatform in a direction away from the dock 300 would cause theprotrusion 210 to bear against and be obstructed by a proximal dockstringer pipe (e.g., 312 a, 316 a of FIG. 10) (or other dock structure).One of skill in the art will recognize that any of a wide variety ofprotrusion sizes and designs may be suitably utilized in the one or moreembodiments of a dock platform 200. For example, a protrusion mayinclude, but is not limited to, a wooden member fastened (removably orpermanently) to the fixation arm, a fastener (e.g., a nail, a bolt, aU-bolt, etc.) extending from the fixation arm to be disposed proximatethe dock stringer pipe, and/or some other mass of material attached toor integral with the fixation arm, or a combination of two or more ofthese. In one or more embodiments, the protrusion 210 may be attached toa fixation arm 208 before or after the dock platform is mounted on adock.

As shown in the one or more embodiments of FIGS. 3 and 4, the fixationarm 208 may be disposed in a different plane than the tread member 206,generally below the tread member 206. It may be useful that the fixationarm extends under a proximal dock stringer pipe (e.g., between the dockstringer pipe and the water level) when the dock platform is installedon a dock. In this way, forces that would tend to cause the dockplatform at the inside corner to tip upward will be countered by theproximal dock stringer pipe pressing against the fixation arm. In one ormore embodiments, the fixation arm is constructed and arranged to engageat least one of the first and second proximal dock stringer pipes (e.g.,312 a, 316 a of FIG. 10). In one or more embodiments in which thefixation arm extends from both first and second edge portions, thefixation arm may engage two proximal dock stringer pipes (e.g., 312 a,316 a of FIG. 10). In some embodiments, a dock platform may include twoseparate fixation arms, each of which may engage a proximal dockstringer pipe and each of which may include a protrusion (e.g., forresisting lateral forces applied to the dock platform in the directionaway from the dock).

In one or more embodiments, a dock platform may be supported by two ormore platform support members 118. For example, as shown in FIG. 9, adock 300 includes a crossover having a first dock side 304 that has afirst dock mounting portion 308 and a second crossover having a seconddock side 306 that has a second dock mounting portion 310. In FIG. 9,six dock brackets 100 are shown, three protruding from the first dockside 304 and three protruding from the second dock side 306. Each of thedock brackets 100 shown in FIG. 9 includes a platform support member118. A dock platform having any suitable shape may be placed between thefirst dock side 304 and the second dock side 308 in FIG. 9, supportedby, for example, three or more (e.g., four or more, five or more, six ormore, etc.) platform support members 118, which are disposed on each ofthe dock brackets 100 shown. In one or more embodiments, a full docksection may be supported in the arrangement depicted in FIG. 9. One ofskill in the art would recognize that a dock platform having any of awide variety of shapes may be supported with any suitable number of dockbrackets. One of skill in the art will also be able to determine asuitable number of dock brackets for a particular dock platform in orderto properly support the platform (e.g., to reduce the likelihood of thedock platform tipping) and to provide appropriate distances between dockbrackets to, for example, reduce undue bending or flexing of a dockplatform. One of skill in the art will recognize that the surface areaof a dock may be increased by using one or more dock platforms and/orone or more dock brackets of the present disclosure without, forexample, the need for a proportionate amount of take-off brackets, dockstringer pipes, and end brackets.

As shown in FIGS. 10-13, a dock may include one or more of the dockplatforms of the present disclosure by using, for example, three or moredock brackets of the present disclosure. For example, the dock of FIG.10 includes a T-shaped dock configuration that includes three docksections 300 a, 300 c, 300 d and one dock platform 200 a supported bythree dock brackets 100 a, 100 c, 100 d. In FIGS. 10-13, the break lineat the end of dock section 300 d designates that the dock continues withany number of dock sections or configurations toward, for example, ashore. The dock of FIG. 11 includes a T-shaped dock configuration thatincludes four dock sections 300 a, 300 b, 300 c, 300 d and two dockplatforms 200 a, 200 b supported by four dock brackets 100 a, 100 b, 100c, 100 d. In comparison to FIG. 11, FIG. 12 includes an additional dockplatform 200 c and two additional dock brackets 100 e, 100 f. Incomparison to FIG. 12, FIG. 13 includes an additional dock platform 200d and dock brackets 100 b, 100 e, and 100 f include two ends that extendbeyond the sides of the dock sections and include second platformsupport members (not shown).

In one or more aspects of the present disclosure, a dock accessory kit400 may include any combination of the one or more of the components ofthe dock brackets 100 disclosed herein, as shown in FIG. 14 (optionalitems indicated with broken lines). The one or more components of thedock brackets 100 may be assembled or unassembled. For example, a dockaccessory kit 400 may include an elongate rail 102 as disclosed herein,a first clamp 108 as disclosed herein, and a first platform supportmember 118 as disclosed herein. A dock accessory kit 400 may includemore than one dock bracket 100 or components that could be assembledinto more than one dock bracket (e.g., two dock brackets, three dockbrackets, four dock brackets, etc.) 100. In one or more embodiments, akit may also include additional optional components such as, but notlimited to, a second clamp 120, a second platform support member 130, asecond clamp adjustment member 126, a second rail securement member 128,and fasteners (e.g., bolts, screws, bolts with nuts, etc.). In one ormore embodiments, a dock accessory kit 400 may also include writteninstructions, for example, for assembly and use of a dock bracket 100and/or dock platform 200.

In one or more embodiments, a dock accessory kit 400 may include a dockplatform 200 (or dock platform components) as described herein, eitherwith or without dock brackets 100 or dock bracket components. Forexample, a dock accessory kit may include a single dock platform 200, asdescribed herein, with a set of three dock brackets 100, as describedherein, or with a set of dock bracket components that may be assembledinto three dock brackets 100. Although not shown in FIG. 11, a pluralityof dock platforms 200 may be included in a dock accessory kit 400 with asuitable number of dock brackets 100 to support the number of dockplatforms 200.

It may be recognized that the installation of dock platforms 200 of thepresent disclosure using dock brackets 100 of the present disclosure maybe relatively simple. For example, with reference to FIG. 10, one docksection 300 a (of dock 300), originally resting on second proximalstringer pipe 316 a and second distal stringer pipe 318 a, may be movedaside to reveal the two stringer pipes. A dock bracket 100 a having afirst clamp 108 (not shown) may be positioned to engage second proximalstringer pipe 316 a. Dock bracket 100 a may also include optional secondclamp 120 (not shown) to engage second distal stringer pipe 318 a. Theclamp(s) of dock bracket 100 a may be tightened. Dock bracket 100 a mayinclude first platform support member 118 (not shown), which would bedisposed to support a dock platform 200 a in the desired location. Thedock section 300 a previously moved aside may be placed in its originalposition. If another dock platform 200 b is being installed as shown inFIG. 11, a similar procedure may be used to install dock bracket 100 b(e.g., move dock section 300 b (of dock 300), position and tightenclamps of dock bracket 100 b to second proximal stringer pipe 316 b andoptionally second distal stringer pipe 318 b, place dock section 300 bin its original position).

Then, another dock section 300 c in FIG. 10, originally resting on firstproximal stringer pipe 312 a and first distal stringer pipe 314 a, maybe moved aside to reveal the two stringer pipes. In FIG. 10, dockbracket 100 c supports both dock platforms 200 a, 200 b, so it includesfirst and second platform support members 118, 130 (not shown) and ispositioned to engage both stringer pipes 312 a, 314 a with first andsecond clamps 108, 120 (not shown). The clamps of dock bracket 100 c maybe tightened.

It may be noted that with respect to dock platform 200 b (e.g., FIG.11), first distal stringer pipe 314 a is considered to be a proximalstringer pipe and first proximal stringer pipe 312 a is considered to bea distal stringer pipe.

As shown in FIG. 10, it may be useful in one or more embodiments toposition the first two dock brackets 100 a, 100 c that support aparticular dock platform 200 a such that the platform support members ofeach of dock brackets 100 a, 100 c support the dock platform 200 a atlocations relatively distant from an inside corner of the dock 300(e.g., the inside corner formed between dock sections 300 a, 300 c). Forexample, in FIG. 10, the first two dock brackets 100 a, 100 c positionedto support dock platform 200 a may be the dock brackets 100 a, 100 cthat include platform support members that support the dock platform 200a near the acutely angled corners of dock platform 200 a that arerelatively distant from the inside corner. The dock section 300 c movedaside may be placed in its original position.

Similarly, with reference to FIG. 11, it may be useful in one or moreembodiments to position the first two dock brackets 100 b, 100 c thatsupport a particular dock platform 200 b such that the platform supportmembers of each of dock brackets 100 b, 100 c support the dock platform200 b at locations relatively distant from an inside corner of the dock300 (e.g., the inside corner formed between dock sections 300 b, 300 c).

At this point, the dock platform 200 a may be positioned on the platformsupport members of dock brackets 100 a, 100 c, while sliding thefixation arm or arms 208 a of the dock platform 200 a under the firstand/or second proximal stringer pipes 312 a, 316 a. In FIG. 10, thefixation arm 208 a extends under both first and second proximal stringerpipes 312 a, 316 a. The fixation arm 208 a may include a protrusion 210(not shown) to engage the side of first and/or second proximal stringerpipes 312 a, 316 a that face the respective distal stringer pipes 314 a,318 a of dock sections 300 c, 300 a. It may be useful in one or moreembodiments that the fixation arm 208 a in FIG. 10 includes twoprotrusions 210 to engage both first and second proximal stringer pipes312 a, 316 a. In one or more embodiments, the protrusions 210 may beadjustable to more firmly engage a proximal stringer pipe or may bepermanently or removably attached to the fixation arm 208 a after thedock platform 200 a is placed as shown in FIG. 10.

With reference to FIG. 11, dock platform 200 b may be positioned on theplatform support members of dock brackets 100 b, 100 c, while slidingthe fixation arm or arms 208 b of the dock platform 200 b under thefirst distal stringer pipe 314 a and/or the second proximal stringerpipe 316 b. In FIG. 11, the fixation arm 208 b extends under both firstdistal stringer pipe 314 a and second proximal stringer pipe 316 b. Thefixation arm 208 b may include a protrusion 210 (not shown) to engagethe side of first distal stringer pipe 314 a and/or second proximalstringer pipe 316 b that face the first proximal stringer pipe 312 a orfirst distal stringer pipe 318 b of dock sections 300 c, 300 b. It maybe useful in one or more embodiments that the fixation arm 208 b in FIG.11 includes two protrusions 210 to engage both first distal stringerpipe 314 a and second proximal stringer pipe 316 b. In one or moreembodiments, the protrusions 210 may be adjustable to more firmly engagea stringer pipe or may be permanently or removably attached to thefixation arm 208 b after the dock platform 200 b is placed as shown inFIG. 11.

In FIG. 11, dock bracket 100 d supports both dock platforms 200 a, 200b, so it includes first and second platform support members 118, 130(not shown) and is positioned to engage both stringer pipes 312 a, 314 awith first and second clamps 108, 120 (not shown). The dock section 300c may be moved aside in order to position dock bracket 100 d to engagethe stringer pipes and to dispose the first and second platform supportmembers 118, 130 in a position to support the corner of the dockplatforms 200 a, 200 b relatively near the inside corner. The clamps ofdock bracket 100 d may be tightened. Because the corner of the dockplatforms 200 a, 200 b nearest the inside corner formed by dock sections300 a, 300 b, 300 c is not supported, at least one fixation arm (or aportion thereof) of each of dock platforms 200 a, 200 b may betemporarily supported against a proximal stringer pipe by using a clamp,a vice grip, a string, a tape, or other supporting equipment known toone of skill in the art. The temporary support holding up at least onefixation arm may be removed when the dock bracket 100 d is in place andits clamps tightened. The dock section 300 c may be placed in itsoriginal position.

The dock brackets 100 a, 100 c, 100 d of FIG. 10 include one platformsupport member (e.g., first platform support member 118). Because dockbrackets 100 c, 100 d of FIG. 11 also support dock platform 200 b, dockbrackets 100 c, 100 d include first and second platform support members.Thus, one may select elongate rails having an appropriate length anddock brackets having the appropriate number of platform support membersfor a particular dock configuration. In FIG. 12, dock bracket 100 aincludes first and second platform support members (not shown) and dockbrackets 100 e, 100 f include one platform support member each. Itshould be noted that, in one or more embodiments, dock brackets 100 dand 100 e of FIG. 12 may be rearranged such that dock bracket 100 dspans dock section 300 a and supports dock platforms 200 a and 200 c andsuch that dock bracket 100 e spans dock section 300 b and supports dockplatform 200 b. In FIG. 12, all of the dock brackets 100 a, 100 b, 100c, 100 d, 100 e, 100 f include first and second platform supportmembers, allowing six dock brackets to support four dock platforms 200a, 200 b, 200 c, and 200 d. Installing dock sections 200 c, 200 d may beaccomplished by following the procedure described above regarding FIGS.10 and 11 and repeating the procedure described regarding dock brackets100 c, 100 d to install dock brackets 100 e, 100 f.

In one or more aspects of the present disclosure, a dock may include afirst dock assembly including a first dock section and a first proximalstringer pipe, a second dock assembly including a second dock sectionand a second proximal stringer pipe, and a dock platform, as describedherein, attached to the first dock assembly via a first dock bracket (asdescribed herein) and to the second dock assembly via a second dockbracket (as described herein). With reference to FIG. 10, dock 300 mayinclude a first dock assembly including a first dock section 300 c and afirst proximal stringer pipe 312 a, a second dock assembly including asecond dock section 300 a and a second proximal stringer pipe 316 a, anda dock platform 200 a attached to the first dock assembly (e.g., firstproximal stringer pipe 312 a) via a first dock bracket 100 c and to thesecond dock assembly (e.g., second proximal stringer pipe 316 a) via asecond dock bracket 100 a. In one or more embodiments, each of the firstand second dock brackets 100 c, 100 a (FIG. 10) may include, withreference to FIG. 5, an elongate rail 102 extending between a proximalrail end 104 and a distal rail end 106, the elongate rail 102 defining alongitudinal axis (not shown); a first clamp 108 including a first clampbody 110 disposed about the elongate rail 102 near the proximal rail end104, the first clamp 108 further including a first jaw member 112disposed apart from the elongate rail 102 and defining an opening sizedto receive a stringer pipe 312 therein, wherein the first clamp 108 isconstructed and arranged to clamp a stringer pipe 312 between the firstjaw member 112 and the elongate rail 102 at a non-zero angle (see, e.g.,angle A of FIG. 10) relative to the longitudinal axis of the elongaterail 102. In one or more embodiments, the first clamp 108 may alsoinclude a first clamp adjustment member 114 and an optional first railsecurement member 116 constructed and arranged to restrict longitudinalmovement of the first jaw member 112 along the elongate rail 102. Eachof the first and second dock brackets 100 c, 100 a may further include afirst platform support member 118 engaging the elongate rail 102 anddisposed between the proximal rail end 104 and the first clamp 108. Inone or more embodiments of the dock, the first proximal stringer pipemay be disposed in the opening of one of the first clamps and the secondproximal stringer pipe may be disposed in the opening of the other ofthe first clamps. For example, the first proximal stringer pipe 312 amay be disposed in the opening of the first clamp 108 of dock bracket100 c and the second proximal stringer pipe 316 a may be disposed in theopening of the first clamp 108 of dock bracket 100 a.

In one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, the non-zero angle(e.g., angle A of FIG. 10) between a stringer pipe and an elongate railmay be from 30 degrees to 150 degrees (e.g., from 45 degrees to 135degrees, from 75 degrees to 105 degrees, from 85 degrees to 95 degrees,or about 90 degrees). In one or more embodiments, it may be useful toorient the elongate rail at about a 90 degree angle with one or morestringer pipes. Because a stringer pipe and an elongate rail may beaskew, the non-zero angle between a stringer pipe and an elongate railas referenced herein should be measured from an overhead perspective, asdepicted in FIG. 10 with respect to dock bracket 100 a and secondproximal stringer pipe 316 a.

The above disclosure is intended to be illustrative and not exhaustive.This description will suggest many variations and alternatives to one ofordinary skill in this field of art. All these alternatives andvariations are intended to be included within the scope of the claimswhere the term “comprising” means “including, but not limited to.” Thosefamiliar with the art may recognize other equivalents to the specificembodiments described herein which equivalents are also intended to beencompassed by the claims.

Further, the particular features presented in the dependent claims canbe combined with each other in other manners within the scope of theinvention such that the subject matter of the present disclosure shouldbe recognized as also specifically directed to other embodiments havingany other possible combination of the features of the dependent claims.For instance, for purposes of claim publication, any dependent claimwhich follows should be taken as alternatively written in a multipledependent form from all prior claims which possess all antecedentsreferenced in such dependent claim if such multiple dependent format isan accepted format within the jurisdiction (e.g. each claim dependingdirectly from claim 1 should be alternatively taken as depending fromall previous claims). In jurisdictions where multiple dependent claimformats are restricted, the following dependent claims should each bealso taken as alternatively written in each singly dependent claimformat which creates a dependency from a prior antecedent-possessingclaim other than the specific claim listed in such dependent claimbelow.

Those skilled in the art may recognize other equivalents to the specificembodiment described herein which equivalents are intended to beencompassed by the claims attached hereto.

All published documents, including all U.S. patent documents, mentionedanywhere in this application are hereby expressly incorporated herein byreference in their entirety. Any co-pending patent applicationsmentioned anywhere in this application are also hereby expresslyincorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

1. A dock bracket to provide cantilevered support from a supportedsection of dock to an adjacent dock platform, the dock bracketcomprising: an elongate rail having a longitudinal length greater than adistance between two parallel dock stringers of the supported section,the elongate rail extending between a proximal rail end and a distalrail end, the elongate rail defining a longitudinal axis; a first clampcomprising a first clamp body engaging the elongate rail, the firstclamp further comprising a first jaw member, wherein the first clamp isconstructed and arranged to engage, between the first jaw member and theelongate rail, a proximal one of the two parallel dock stringers at anon-zero angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the elongate rail asmeasured from an overhead perspective; wherein the first clamp furthercomprises a first clamp adjustment member, wherein when connected to theproximal dock stringer the proximal rail end extends beyond a proximalside of the supported dock; and a first platform support member engagingthe elongate rail and disposed on the extended proximal rail end of theelongate rail, wherein the first platform support member is structuredand arranged to support the adjacent dock platform.
 2. The dock bracketof claim 1, wherein the first clamp further comprises a first railsecurement member constructed and arranged to restrict longitudinalmovement of the first jaw member along the elongate rail.
 3. The dockbracket of claim 1, wherein the angle is from 45 degrees to 135 degrees.4. The dock bracket of claim 1, wherein the elongate rail is an elongatetube having a rail outer diameter and wherein the first clamp bodycomprises and elongate clamp body tube having a clamp body tube innerdiameter that is greater than the rail outer diameter.
 5. The dockbracket of claim 4, wherein the first elongate clamp body tube defines afirst clamp body longitudinal axis, wherein the first clamp bodylongitudinal axis is not parallel to the longitudinal axis of theelongate rail when the first clamp is tightened to the rail and theproximal dock stringer pipe.
 6. The dock bracket of claim 4, wherein thefirst platform support member comprises: a tubular collar having a lumenthrough which the elongate rail may extend; and a collar fastener forfastening the collar to the elongate rail.
 7. The dock bracket of claim6, wherein the collar fastener provides a surface on which the dockplatform may be disposed.
 8. The dock bracket of claim 1, furthercomprising: a second clamp comprising a second jaw member, wherein thesecond clamp is constructed and arranged to engage a distal one of thetwo parallel dock stringers between the second jaw member and theelongate rail.
 9. The dock bracket of claim 8, wherein a distancebetween the first and second clamps along the elongate rail isadjustable.
 10. The dock bracket of claim 8, wherein the first clampdefines an opening between the first jaw member and the elongate rail,wherein a distance across the opening is between 0.5 inch and 6 inches.11. A dock accessory kit to provide cantilevered support from asupported section of dock to an adjacent dock platform, the dockaccessory kit comprising: an elongate rail having a longitudinal lengthgreater than a distance between two parallel dock stringers of thesupported section, the elongate rail extending between a proximal railend and a distal rail end, the elongate rail defining a longitudinalaxis; a first clamp comprising a first clamp body and a first jawmember, wherein the first clamp is constructed and arranged to engage aproximal one of the two parallel dock stringers between the first jawmember and the elongate rail; wherein the first clamp body isconstructed and arranged to engage the elongate rail, wherein the firstclamp further comprises a first clamp adjustment member, wherein whenconnected to the proximal dock stringer the proximal rail end extendsbeyond a proximal side of the supported dock; and a first platformsupport member constructed and arranged to engage the elongate rail andbe disposed on the extended proximal rail end of the elongate railbetween the distal rail end and the first clamp, wherein the firstplatform support member is structured and arranged to support theadjacent dock platform; and, a first dock platform to be supported froman adjacent supported section of dock, the dock platform comprising: afirst edge portion to be secured proximate a first dock mountingportion; a second edge portion to be secured proximate a second dockmounting portion; a tread member extending from the first edge portionand the second edge portion; and at least one fixation arm constructedand arranged to engage at least one proximal dock stringer.
 12. The dockaccessory kit of claim 11, wherein the first clamp further comprises afirst rail securement member constructed and arranged to restrictlongitudinal movement of the first jaw member along the elongate rail.13. The dock accessory kit of claim 11, further comprising: a secondclamp comprising a second jaw member, wherein the second clamp isconstructed and arranged to engage a distal one of the two parallel dockstringers between the second jaw member and the elongate rail.
 14. Thedock accessory kit of claim 11, further comprising a second platformsupport member constructed and arranged to engage the elongate rail andbe disposed between the distal rail end and the second clamp. 15.(canceled)
 16. A dock comprising: a first dock assembly comprising afirst dock section and two parallel first dock stringer pipes; a seconddock assembly comprising a second dock section and two parallel seconddock stringer pipes; and a dock platform attached to the first dockassembly via a first dock bracket and to the second dock assembly via asecond dock bracket; wherein each of the first and second dock bracketscomprises: an elongate rail having a longitudinal length greater than adistance between two parallel dock stringers of one of the first orsecond dock assemblies, the elongate rail extending between a proximalrail end and a distal rail end, the elongate rail defining alongitudinal axis; a first clamp comprising a first clamp body disposedabout the elongate rail near the proximal rail end, the first clampfurther comprising a first jaw member disposed apart from the elongaterail and defining an opening sized to receive a stringer pipe therein,wherein the first clamp is constructed and arranged to clamp a stringerpipe between the first jaw member and the elongate rail at a non-zeroangle relative to the longitudinal axis of the elongate rail as measuredfrom an overhead perspective; wherein the first clamp further comprises:a first clamp adjustment member; and an optional first rail securementmember constructed and arranged to restrict longitudinal movement of thefirst jaw member along the elongate rail; and a first platform supportmember engaging the elongate rail and disposed between the proximal railend and the first clamp; wherein a proximal one of the two parallelfirst dock stringer pipes is disposed in the opening of the first clampof the first dock bracket, and wherein a proximal one of the twoparallel second dock stringer pipes is disposed in the opening of thefirst clamp of the second dock bracket, wherein the dock platform issupported by the platform support member of the first dock bracket andthe platform support member of the second dock bracket, wherein theplatform support member of the first dock bracket extends beyond a sideof the first dock section and the platform support member of the seconddock bracket extends beyond a side of the second dock section.
 17. Thedock of claim 16, wherein the dock platform comprises: a first edgeportion; a second edge portion; a tread member extending from the firstedge portion and the second edge portion; and at least on fixation armextending from at least the first edge portion.